Heat Stress

www.crla.orgwww.crla.org 11/2013 11/2013

DISCLAIMER

This material was produced under grant number SH-23582-12 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.

Government.

Your Rights Against Heat Related Illnesses and How to Protect Yourself

Mission Statement:

California Rural Legal Assistance fights for justice and individual rights alongside the most exploited communities of our society.

www.crla.org

Introduction

California Rural Legal Assistance

Photos by David Bacon

Program

Welcome and Introduction What is Heat Illness? Signs and Symptoms The Four Elements for Prevention Emergency Procedures Evaluation Note: This material was produced under grant SH-22221-11-60-F-6 of the Health and Safety

Administration, in the U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necesarily reflect the opinions or politics of the U.S. Department of Labor nor registered trademarks, commercial products or organizations impied by the approval of the U.S. goverment.

Why is it Important that you know your Rights?

In 2005 7 farmworkers died due to heat stress.

In 2008 6 farmworkers died due to heat stress.

In 2009 less farmworkers died heat stress.

No one should suffer injuries or death due to an unsafe enviroment.

Your health is important and the law helps you.

What is Heat Stress?

Heat Stress is one of the illnesses caused by heat.

If you do not take precaution these illnesses can cause death.

If you feel the following symptoms please

inform your supervisor or co-worker.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Stress:Heat Stress:

• Dried, red skin• Red hot skin• High body temperature• Disoriented• Confusion

Heat Exhaustion:Heat Exhaustion:

• Excessive sweating• Cramps• Rapid pulse• Headache• Nausea• Vomiting

NEED MEDICALNEED MEDICALHELPHELP

Heat Symptoms:– Sweat– Fatigue– Mild headache

Symptoms of Illnesses caused by Heat:– Excessive sweating– Headache– Cramps– Rapid pulse – Stomach ache– Confusion– Mood change

Heat Stress Symptoms– Pale dried skin– Red, hot skin similar to a burn– Confusion– Inability to think clearly– Colvulsions or seizures– Fainting

More Symptoms

The Four Elements for the Prevention ofHeat Related Illnesses

Your employer must provide

and make available:

1. Drinking Water

2. Shade

3. Written procedures for Health and Safety

4. Training and education to all employees.

1. Under the Law Access to Water at your employment is Required

Drinking water must be available at all times.

- Clean, Fresh and Free.

2 gallons for every worker, for every 8 hours of work.

- Water must be provided to workers at no cost to the employees.

1. It is Your Right to Have Access to Water

Drinking water must be available during your entire workshift.

– From the beginning of the workshift until the end of the day.

The law requires an employer to ensure the water is fresh at all times for all of the workers.

The water must be placed under the shade.

1. Water Access is Your Right

Encourage one another to drink water and to take a break if feeling sick.

Water must always be near all the workers.

The employer must provide individual cups.

The water must be kept fresh

During a heat wave its is advised that the supervisor or foreman increase the number of breaks to drink water.

You have the right to an extra break if you feel sick in order to prevent excessive warming.

DRINK WATER FREQUENTLY!

• Do not wait until you are thirsty.

• Drink water in small quantities– Frequently!

• It is prohibited that your employer deny your right to drink water.

2. Your Right to Shade Access

The definition of shade is direct blockage of sun rays.

Break periods must be provided to workers that:

– suffer from a heat related illness – believe they need a break to protect themselves against overheating.

Under the law, workers must have access to an area with shade that is open to the air to refresh for at least a 5 minute period.

Where is the Shade?

Where is the Shade?

Examples of Inadequate Shade

• The shaded area must allow the workers to be in a comfortable posture and it is prohibited to cause that they be exposed to another danger.

• To have to seek shade increases the risk of:

• exposing the worker to dangerous conditions

• exposure to pesticides

2. Workers have thr Right to Access to Shade at All Times

When the temperature is above 85 degrees F, the shade must be located and available in the workplace.

Regardless of the temperature forecast an employer must always be in the capacity to provide immediate shade if a worker requests it.

The shade must cover 25% of

the crew.

How Much Shade is Sufficent ?

• The law requires that all workers be able to sit without touching one another.

• An employer must provide at least enough shade for at least 25% of the workers.

• For example if there are 40 workers in a crew the amount of shade must be sufficent to accomodate 10 people without them touching one another.

How Close Must the Shade be?

• The shaded area must be as near to the workers as possible.

• The Division of Occupational Safety and Health advises employers that the shade should at a distance of within a 2 ½ minute walk.

Example of an Acceptable ShadeArea

If the temperatures is above 85 degrees F, the shade must be present!

3. Written Procedures

The law requires that workers be educated and know their rights in regards to:

Drinking water.

Access to shade.

Training for all workers and supervisors.

Respond to emergencies caused by heat illness and provide services without delay.

4. Training

All workers must recieve training in:

The Procedures for the prevention of illnesses caused by heat.

The importance of drinking water frequently and in small quantities.

The different types of illnesses caused by heat and common signs and symptoms.

Information, contacts and procedures in case of an emergency.

Emergency Procedures

The employer or supervisor is responsible to responding to symptoms of possible illnesses caused by heat.

Contact medical services in an emergency.

Provide clear and precise directions to the workplace.

Summary of the laws and rights relating to heat stress.

Questions?

Evaluation

Contact CRLA

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.